subsidize

verb

sub·​si·​dize ˈsəb-sə-ˌdīz 

-zə-

subsidized; subsidizing

transitive verb

: to furnish with a subsidy: such as

a

: to purchase the assistance of by payment of a subsidy

b

: to aid or promote (someone or something, such as a private enterprise) with public money

subsidize soybean farmers

subsidize public transportation

subsidization

ˌsəb-sə-də-ˈzā-shən 

-zə-

noun

subsidizer noun

Synonyms of subsidize

• fund
• finance

Examples of subsidize in a Sentence

The state subsidizes housing for low-income families.

She feels that private businesses should not be subsidized by taxpayers.

The company subsidizes health insurance for its employees.

Recent Examples on the Web

While there haven’t been substantive discussions on the issue, Zbur says talks so far have acknowledged that taxpayers shouldn’t be subsidizing compensation for executives or A-listers. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026

Finally, your tax dollars will subsidize rural, upstate counties, while Broward will lose services. — Steve Geller, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026

As the government subsidizes these sectors, the price of goods and services rises. — Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026

Does this project provide enough public good to justify taxpayers subsidizing a private company’s tax liability? — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subsidize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

subsidize

verb

sub·​si·​dize ˈsəb-sə-ˌdīz 

-zə-

subsidized; subsidizing

: to aid or furnish with a subsidy

subsidization

ˌsəb-səd-ə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌsəb-zəd-

noun

subsidizer noun